Nereus Joseph has passed away

Sad news has reached the reggae fraternity as the passing of Nereus Joseph was shared by the UK-based singer’s family today.

Nereus Joseph, a mainstay on the UK’s reggae scene, was born in St. Lucia to a musical family. His parents were both singers, mother sang harmonics in a band with her six sisters and his uncles are the famous calypso band from his native land called The Merry Makers.

At the tender age of 18 years and surrounded with the heavy influence of reggae music in the streets of London, Nereus formed his first band called The Coptic Roots Band and emerged onto the UK Reggae Scene in 1979 with the single Roots & Culture on the Oxymite Records label. This led him to his first number one hit Sensi Crisis followed by Special Lady which firmly established his name in reggae circles.

After a few years of touring with the band Nereus signed with the South London based Fashion Records label and released his debut album Loves Gotta Take It’s Time which also included the Move On Up and Sensi Crisis singles. He subsequently recorded two more albums for Fashion Records called Yours To Keepand Guidance.

During the late 1980s, Nereus opened his horizons, touring the world with various top acts like Dennis Brown, Chaka Demus & Pliers, and Bunny Wailer and sang Bob Marley songs for Kenco Coffee (Stir It Up) and Right Guard (Three Little Birds) advertisements for television. Nereus also established his own record label, Sirus Records, and showcased his musical versatility as he ran the gamut from lovers’ rock to zealous dancehall jams. Besides being successful as a solo artist he then also enjoyed success as a member of UK’s first supergroup Passion.

Nereus Joseph has spent the last few years working with various projects with young people as well as the veterans within the world of reggae from singers to musicians to some of the best producers on the block like Dub Judah, Wazair, King Lorenzo, African Simba, Donavon King J, Wayne Lyrics, CD Ranks, and Chris Peckings to name but a few.

Sending condolences to the family and friends of Nereus Joseph. R.I.E.P.